On the Road with Hannah: Plants Edition
By Hannah Pembroke
Hello again, friends of the Alaska Wildlife Alliance! For our last blog, we will be taking a look at the different plants that are native to Alaska and are named after animals. From Salmonberry, Monkey flower, Skunk cabbage, Goose tongue, and Deerberry, Alaska boasts a wide range of edible and inedible plants that pay homage to our feathered, scaled, and furry friends.
Salmonberry
Photo credit: California Flora Nursery
Native to the northwest of North America and found all the way up to central Alaska, the Salmonberry is an edible, raspberry-structured fruit that belongs to the Rose family. Commonly found in mountains and meadows, humans, bears, birds, and plenty of other animals love salmonberries as a quick snack. This fishy-sounding name has two possible origins; either it was inspired by the pink-orange color of the fruit and its similarity to salmon meat, or it was named in honor of its traditional pairing with salmon roe. Either way, this iconic berry is one of the most common animal-themed plants throughout Alaska.
Monkey Flower
Photo Credit: Alaska.org
This plant may not be named after an animal local to Alaska, but Monkey Flower itself has settled into the mountainous landscape quite well. This yellow and pink-flowered plant makes its home on river, lake, and creek beds, and it climbs wet and rocky slopes easily. Its genus name, Mimulus lewisii, was created by Meriwether Lewis who believed the flowers and bulbs are shaped to resemble a smile, (hence the genus mimulus, inspired by mimus, a smiling comedian). The common-place name of Monkey Flower was developed through a similar thought process; it’s believed that the flower also resembled the smile of a monkey. These cheerful flowers, as well as the leaves, are edible and can be found throughout most of North America, where the terrain permits.
Skunk Cabbage
Photo credit: Oregon Encyclopedia
Specifically found in Southeast Alaska and Kodiak, Skunk Cabbage prefers coastal woods or swampy areas. While this plant is inedible for humans, its strong odor attracts a wide variety of insects. Its leaves are a common food for deer, and bears dig up its roots for food in the spring. The name comes from the skunk-like smell that the leaves produced when bruised or broken. This smell is what attracts insects, however the leaves’ appearance of decaying flesh should deter human consumption. With an early blooming season, Skunk Cabbage can actually alter its internal temperature, allowing it to break through snow coverage.
Goose Tongue
Photo credit: Biodiversity of the Central Coast
A salty and savory flavored plant, Goose tongue has traditionally been mixed with marine mammals’ meat and oils to make a meal. Not only highly enjoyed by humans, Goose Tongue is an incredibly important food for bears in the spring as they exit hibernation. Its popularity among humans not only stems from its flavor but also from its medicinal properties. Goose Tongue is an antihistamine and natural painkiller, and it also has anti-inflammatory and antiviral properties. This plant thrives along the coastal regions of Alaska and consists of small, yellowish flowers and green 5-8” stalks. Due to its coastal terrain, Goose Tongue is also fondly referred to as a sea-plantain, or the seaside plantain.
Deerberry
Photo credit: Will Cook/Carolina Nature
Also known as False Lily of the Valley, Deerberry mostly makes it home where the Sitka deer roam in Sitka spruce forests. Preferring shade and moisture, the little white-flowered plant produces red or blue-black berries at the top of its stem. While it specifically attracts birds, most mammals are capable of eating deerberries. Due to its highly specific location in Alaska, this fruit is associated with this great state, though it more commonly is considered a northeast plant in the North American continent.
Thank you for checking in this week for the Southeast leg of our journey! As always, it is a privilege and joy to experience the land around us and to witness wildlife in its natural habitat. If you are interested in aiding our goal of protecting Alaskan wildlife, please take action and visit AWA at https://www.akwildlife.org/take-action-1. See you for our next mini series, when we are back on the road with Hannah!
